The Owls report: 40 “new” faces

This is one of our favorite ditties from our favorite artist ever, and since the Owls reported to camp on Sunday, we figured it (sans some lyrics) could serve as a theme song. However, we have a hard time imagining this song blaring over the speakers on Monday afternoon. Hey, that’s what this is for. We’ll handle our own mixing.

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Let’s clear up some loose ends before the Owls take the practice field. Sophomore Chance Talbert has been reinstated. Talbert was dismissed from the team prior to the New Orleans Bowl last season after breaking team rules. He elected to remain at Rice and fulfilled a varying list of requirements presented by the coaching staff and team elders.

Owls coach David Bailiff plans on utilizing Talbert as a blocking tight end, but that role could change once fall drills commence. Considering the Owls’ lack of depth on both lines, Talbert may ultimately find a home at multiple positions, something he should be accustomed to given his various roles last season.

“Even though we’ve got some pretty good tight ends, we felt we needed a little more size,” Bailiff said. “So we’re going to start him there, but he’s an important piece of the puzzle. We’ll have to figure out over the next 30 days where he fits.”

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Aside from linebacker Jonathan Arceneaux and defensive back Ryan Kennedy, the Owls reported to camp healthy. Arceneaux, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Texas last year, re-injured that knee over the summer in a non-football related incident. He likely will petition for a medical redshirt this year.

Kennedy had a preexisting hip injury when the current staff took over in January.

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Eventually, we’ll work our way to the bottom of the Scott Mitchell story, but here is a quick primer.

Owls running backs coach Darrell Patterson spent seven years playing in the Canadian Football League, and two more coaching north of the border. Through his Canadian contacts Patterson got a lead on Mitchell, a Manotick, Ontario native who earned team MVP honors as a two-way player for St. Mark’s High. The Owls need offensive linemen, and Mitchell (6-4, 270) projects as a left tackle.